Training in the Human Services, Vol. II. Papers Presented at the Fall Conference on Training in the Human Services (2nd, Atlanta, Georgia, October 16-18, 1978).

Edwards, Richard L., Ed.; Morton, Thomas D., Ed.

Needs assessment, program design, and evaluation are presented in a series of 12 papers for trainers, educators, and practitioners interested in training for human service practice. Needs assessment is discussed in terms of direct interpersonal approaches; indirect interpersonal approaches; and social indicator approaches. Weaknesses of needs assessment are identified and discussed in terms of lack of clear-cut definitions, interpreting and weighting data collected, lack of well defined training competency hierarchies, and the difficulty of extracting useful information on the existing knowledqe and sophistication within the target population. Included in this section are two papers describing needs assesments undertaken in a mental health center and with service providers in gerontology. Program design is reviewed with specific attention paid to size, purpose, economy, and the sociopolitical environment. Seven papers follow that report on large scale training programs, a program that utilizes telecommunication satellites, a state-wide inservice program for social workers, a rural rape crisis program, a community college-based program, and a description on how to use information science in design. A background to the evaluation of training programs in human services is provided. Included in this section are three papers that address issues related to evaluation of training effectiveness. (BPB)